Swanson, Brian (OST) l>or-osr-i<l11-'3^0g 

From: Mike Petrik [aviatorsOmidrivers.com] 

Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 1:21 PM 

To: Swanson, Brian (OST) 

Subject: Comment on EAS in Montana 

January 21 , 2011 

Dennis DeVany 

Chief, Essential ArrService Division, X-53 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U. S. Department of Transportaion 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Comment on EAS in Montana 

Dear Mr. DeVany, 

Richland Aviation based in Sidney, MT has been the fuel, hangar, and on call maintenance vendor for the EAS airline at Sidney since 1 971. 

Richland Aviation would have appreciated the opportunity to express their approval of Great Lakes Airlines. Hov^'ever, Richland Aviation 

was never consulted by the MT EAS tack force when the task force was considering Culfstream Int'l Airlines based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for 

the EAS contract. 

According to new reports, Culfstream will contract with Billings for fueling. Therefore, if Culfstream Int'l gets the contract to provide 

essential air service at Sidney, the Sidney Airport Authority will lose roughly $1 5,000 a year in local fuel flow tax. Richland Aviation will 

certainly lose the fuel storage and handling business that Creat Lakes has utilized faithfully for over two years. Richland Aviation realizes 

that the intent of the EAS program is NOT to support airports and airport businesses. However, our experience with Creat Lakes has been 

exceptional from a business point of view. They never got behind on their bill. It is Richland Aviation's opinion that financial soundness 

and responsibility says a lot about the overall quality of a small regional airline. According to various news media, Culfstream Int'l filed 

for Chapter 11 bankruptcy In November 2010. Obviously, I am concerned about that. 

Richland Aviation was stunned by the 6-1 vote in favor of Culfstream. Richland Aviation has been an FBO and Part 1 35 on demand air taxi 

operator in eastern Montana for almost 40 years. We know how difficult the business of aviation can be in Montana. However, we are 

convinced that the average airline consumer is NOT aware of these difficulties. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the airline consumer 

complaints were the only factor that was considered by the MT EAS task force. Many of these complaints come from events such as 

weather and airport maintenance that are beyond the airline's control. Richland Aviation is not alone when we question what source the 

task force used to base their decision. I understand that recently Creat Lakes on time performance for some flights has been poor. 

However, another source has told me that Creat Lakes boardings are up significantly for this time period from a year ago. I'm afraid that 

the EAS task force Is misinformed or just wants a different airline no matter what. 

Richland Aviation is confused about the news reports where some of the task force members assert that the Montana people want to go to 

Billings. Even though I haven't seen any public opinion polls to prove that. Great Lakes DOES have flights that go to Billings! Subsidized 

air service in Montana is NOT intended to be the tax payer funded personal airline for a few self important people who only have reason to 

go to Billings or Helena! Even with tax payer subsidy. Big Sky Airlines went out of business flying to and from Billings. 

Culfstream and Great Lakes both operate the same type of business, with the same equipment, in the same business environment, then 

given Culfstream's history, why would any reasonable person expect better service from Culfstream? Richland Aviation is happy to have 

Creat Lakes as the EAS airline and are disappointed that we have not been considered in the decision making process. Richland Aviation 

hopes that you will overturn the MT EAS task forces decision. Also, It is our understanding that the FBOs at Lewistown, Havre, Glasgow, 

and Miles City along with some of the corresponding airport boards DO NOT AGREE with the task force's decision. Please retain Creat 

Lakes for the EAS contract in Montana. 
Thanks 

Mike Petrik 

Manager 

Richland Aviation 

544 Airport Road 

P. O. Box 701 

Sidney, MT 59270 

Ph: (406)482-1832 

Ceil: (406) 489-0356 

Fax: (406)482-1834 

Email: aviatQrs@rpidrivers.coni 

Internet: www.richlandaviation.com 

Cc: Brian Swanson, Essential Air Service Division 

Doug Voss, Creat Lakes Airlines 

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